RICHBURG, S.C. – Giti Tire executives were joined today by South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley along with state and county officials in a groundbreaking ceremony for the company’s new facility in Chester County, S.C.

This first North American plant for Giti Tire will produce passenger and light truck tires for the replacement and original equipment markets. It is expected to be operational in 2017. The plant is expected to generate 1,700 new jobs over the next 10 years. Work has started on the site, located between S.C. Highway 9 and Old Richburg Road.

“We are excited to celebrate this key milestone with many of the folks who have worked so hard on this important project,” said Dr. Enki Tan, executive chairman of Giti Tire Group. “This is a great day for Giti Tire, the people of South Carolina and the Chester County community.”

During his remarks, Dr. Tan was joined on stage by Dr. Agnes Slayman, superintendent of the Chester County School District, and several local schoolchildren in announcing the “Giti Tire Math and Science Award.”

Teams for each school will be given a specific problem to solve and will then present a solution to the problem in the annual competition, which begins in fall 2015. The winning teams (one from elementary, middle and high schools) will receive a trophy and an award.

“The students of the Chester County School District have unique talents and abilities that, when nurtured, will lead graduates to bright futures and diverse careers,” Dr. Tan said. “We are looking forward to working with the school district to help ‘Guide and Inspire Tomorrow’s Innovators’ in the science, math and engineering fields.”

Giti Tire Group, headquartered in Singapore, has been in the tire business since 1951. Giti Tire operates eight manufacturing plants and produces a broad range of tire products, serving major original equipment vehicle manufacturers, auto service outlets, tire dealers and consumers in more than 130 countries worldwide.